Rajasthan Explorer

Exotic, colourful and unique, India is a land where romantic palaces and impregnable fortresses make an impressive footprint on the rugged desert landscape. Starting in the capital, bear witness to the historic past and pulsating present of modern Delhi, admire the flawless symmetry of the Taj Mahal, the pink city of Jaipur, experience an overnight camel safari, and taste the distinctive cuisine; India truly has something for everyone.

About this tour

What you need to know

We will try to run your tour as close to the itinerary as conditions will allow. On very rare occasions, local events may affect the way your itinerary operates. We ask for your flexibility and understanding in these situations.

The first day of your tour is simply an arrival day with no pre-organised activities. You will meet your Tour Leader at 18.00 for the pre-departure meeting. In order to allow time to relax and see some of the sights you may wish to add pre-tour accommodation.

Itinerary

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Day 1 to 1 - Arrive Delhi

Delhi is India's bustling capital, political and cultural centre, with a population of almost 13 million and is bound to be a city that keeps you on your toes no matter what time of day it is!

Many dynasties have ruled here and they have all left their own legacies in the architecture, culture and monuments. The city has been destroyed and rebuilt seven times in its long history. Distances are long in the city and walking to places can be futile. Take a bike rickshaw or a motorised rickshaw to get around some of the sites. You can visit the Gandhi Memorial Museum or the infamous Red Fort, maybe make your way to Humayun's Tomb in south Delhi, near Hazrat Nizamuddin station, one of Delhi's three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A popular way to discover Delhi for many people is to take a bicycle rickshaw tour and check out the view from Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India.

Included on your tour is an orientation walk through the Karol Burgh area in Delhi. This excursion is only available in the evening of the first day of your tour, before your pre-departure meeting. Ask a member of the reservations team for more details.

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Perfect or similar

Day 2 to 2 - Bikaner

We visit Bikaner in the north, the home of the impressive Junagarh Fort surrounded by what was once an elaborate moat. Bikaner is also referred to as an 'oasis town'. Here you could visit Lalgarh Palace, which is a red sandstone building surrounded by sand dunes and rocks. Outside of Bikaneer lies one of the most unusual attractions, the Karni Mata Temple, where some 2000 rats reside. The rats are seen as holy and are revered and they protected because it is believed that they have souls of the followers of Karni Mata in them. Thousands of Hindu pilgrims visit the temple every year to pay their respects to Karni Mata and her followers.

Included Excursions

,Visit to Rat Temple

Optional Excursions

Junagarh Fort – INR 200 • Lalgarh Palace – Free entry

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels at Palace View Hotel or similar

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

Day 3 to 3 - Jaiselmer

We venture deep into the desert to Jaisalmer, 'the golden city', where you'll see that there is no shortage of markets or camels here, each in fierce competition with each other! Jaisalmer's main attraction is its medieval mud fortress, which is the only fort in the whole of India that still has people living in it today.

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Sand Castle or similar

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

Day 4 to 4 - Jaiselmer & Overnight Camel Safari

From Jaisalmer we take an overnight camel safari into the Thar Desert, which is a great way to unwind after experiencing the hustle and bustle of urban Indian life. From here we begin our journey into the photogenic Thar Desert by vehicle. This region is sparsely populated by some of India's most colourful and resourceful people, such as Bhati Rajputs, who are descended from an ancient warrior called Bhatti. We then reach the vast sand dunes where we will begin our overnight camel safari, which will give you the opportunity to experience desert life from a camel's back. Camel breeding is a common practice in this area. You will meet with your village herdsman and the camel which you will ride on the way to the camp. We venture out into the golden sea of sand and will have the chance to see nomadic herders, remote parts of the Thar Desert, rolling sand dunes and desert villages. We will camp under the stars and have a traditional meal cooked for us.

Included Excursions

Camel ride & camp in the desert

Accommodation

1 night(s) on overnight camel safari

Meals

1 Breakfast(s), 1 Dinner(s)

Day 5 to 5 - Jaiselmer

The following day we continue our journey back to civilisation. The scenery becomes more fertile and densely populated as we head back Jaisalmer.

Included Excursions

Visit Jaisalmer Fort,Visit the abandoned village of Kuldhara

Optional Excursions

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Sand Castle or similar

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

Day 6 to 7 - Jodhpur

Busy Jodhpur is Rajasthan's second largest city, dominated by its spectacular Mehrangarh fort. Located in Western Rajasthan you'll see endless golden dunes, camels slowly trekking into the distance and desert landscapes as far as the eye can see.

You will have ample free time for sightseeing. If you take the option to visit the Majestic Fort, you will see why Jodphur is known as the 'Blue City'; many houses in the old city are painted blue and you can admire this amazing view from the fort. There are many optional excursions and activities that you can try if you feel like involving yourself with the local culture and tradition, why not try a cooking, art or Hindi class? You can also choose to visit the old city with its stone temples and lively markets. Or take a wander through the new city, which houses several palaces, such as the art-deco Umaid Bhawan Palace, museums, Kaman art gallery for contemporary Indian art, and a small exotic zoo in the gardens of the Government Museum.

Optional Excursions

Meherangarh Fort – INR 300 • Cooking class – from INR 450

Accommodation

2 night(s) in hotels at K.P Heritage Haveli or similar

Meals

2 Breakfast(s)

Day 8 to 9 - Udaipur

Set in the Girwa valley, Udaipur 'the city of lakes' is located in southern Rajasthan. It is one of the most popular cities in the region with its placid lakes and green gardens. This is a truly captivating city and as a result it has been dubbed 'the most romantic city in India'. Surrounded by beautiful lakes, marble palaces and stunning gardens, Udaipur will most likely offer a refreshing change to the desert surrounds you have seen so far. It provides an insight into the variety and geographical diversity that characterises India. Udaipur is also home to one of the most luxurious hotels in India, the Lake Palace, which is the former Maharajas Palace in the middle of the lake. There are plenty of sightseeing options in Udaipur as well, including the City Palace, which is an impressive complex of several palaces.

Included Excursions

Optional Excursions

Boat ride on Lake Pichola – INR 325 • Full body massage – INR 700-800 • Hot air balloon ride US$200 per person, based on 7 people (morning and evening flights are available for about 1 hour including snacks and transfers to and from your hotel)

Accommodation

2 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Janak Niwas or similar

Meals

2 Breakfast(s)

Day 10 to 11 - Jaipur

Jaipur is Rajasthan's capital and most visited city, and is a bustling, lively destination. It is known as the 'pink city' because of its pink wash buildings although time has faded some of this colour. Make sure you check out the Old City with its bazaars, palaces and havelis. There's also the popular Nahargarh (Tiger Fort) which is a small fort with towering walls. You may also wish to go on a group visit to Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) which is one of Jaipur's most famous attractions - a five storey high Baroque- like structure built to enable the veiled ladies of the harem to observe the street scenes below, out of sight of the people below. The following day there is free time to view the city independently. Try the fresh fruit juices from the street markets (remember to ask for no water or ice!). You could shop for souvenirs and look out for the Meenakaari (enamel work) and Kundankaari (inlay work with gems), which are the two styles of jewellery made by local artisans. Alternatively you could wander around the old city taking in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Or why not visit the Amber Fort, which used to be the capital of the city.

Included Excursions

Visit Amber Fort,Visit to Birla Hindu Temple

Optional Excursions

Hawa Mahal – INR 50

Accommodation

2 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Jai Niwas or similar

Meals

2 Breakfast(s)

Day 12 to 13 - Agra

Today you will travel by train to the industrial city of Agra, steeped in history and tradition, and home to the world-famous Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal never ceases to amaze all who visit to marvel at what is possibly the greatest testimonial to love and romance ever built. It was commissioned between 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife.

There is more to Agra than monuments of love, and other popular attractions include the Agra Fort and Tomb of Itimad-Ud-Daulah. You will have free time in Agra to explore at your leisure or book some optional excursions. Your tour leader will offer suggestions and assist you with these.

You have the option to watch the sun set over the Taj Mahal - a truly incredible sight (this will be organised with your tour leader). You might also like to visit Fatehpur Sikri - a complex of monuments and temples, all in a uniform architectural style. Built during the second half of the 16th century by the Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri (the City of Victory) was the capital of the Mughal Empire for 10 years. The day will be free to explore Agra further and admire some of Hinduism's most holy sights.

Included Excursions

Optional Excursions

Accommodation

2 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Mani Ram Palace or similar

Meals

2 Breakfast(s)

Day 14 to 14 - Delhi

We then make our way back to the capital, where there's time for some last minute souvenir shopping or to check out any sights you may have missed first time around. Due to the modular nature of our group tours, you may be taken to the bus station by your tour leader, to travel unescorted to Delhi and collected in Delhi by a Tucan Travel guide.

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Perfect or similar

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

Day 15 to 15 - Depart Delhi

Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights.

Meals

Other

What's Not Included

International flights to/from the start/end of your tour and departure taxes

Tips on included excursions, visas, travel insurance, personal items and single rooms.

Optional excursions - On each trip, you may find there are some excursions that are not included. This might be because they are not to everyone's taste or there may be various options of differing value to choose from. More information on the excursions we recommend is listed under each day of your itinerary though prices may vary. If you are after something in particular, don't hesitate to ask your tour leader.